Jun 06, 2007

Sacramento Bee - Doolittle opposes House ethics probes for indicted members

Jun 6, 2007

Sacramento Bee - Doolittle opposes House ethics probes for indicted members

As the House late Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to launch speedy ethics investigations of any member indicted for criminal conduct, Rep. John Doolittle voted against two measures on the matter.

The Roseville Republican is under federal investigation for political corruption in connection with his relationship with imprisoned lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He said recently that federal agents searched his home in April after he refused to plead guilty to a crime as part of a plea deal.

Doolittle declined a request for an interview. He instead issued a statement saying, "I believe involving the House of Representatives in an investigation when a judicial proceeding is in progress jeopardizes the rights of the defendant and the people (represented by the prosecution)."

During the floor debate, House leaders said the measures were not about prejudging the criminal process but about preserving the rules and integrity of the Congress.

A Democratic resolution called for the House ethics committee to determine within 30 days of criminal charges being issued whether an investigation of the affected member should be launched. It was approved by a 387-10 margin.

Minutes later, a Republican resolution ordering an investigation of Rep. William Jefferson, D-La. -- indicted Monday on federal bribery charges -- was approved on a 373-26 vote.

Doolittle opposed both measures, drawing a harsh rebuke from the political arm of the House Democratic caucus, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. It charged that the embattled Republican "refuses to uphold a high ethical standard and take responsibility for his actions.""We want to make sure that that process works the way it was intended," said Ohio Rep. John Boehner, the House Republican leader.

One of the most potent speakers of the day was Rep. Zack Space, the Ohio Democrat elected to the seat of former Republican Rep. Bob Ney, who pleaded guilty last year to corruption charges. Ney is the only House member so far convicted of corruption in the ongoing Abramoff probe.

"Coming from a district whose previous congressman became mired and then consumed by scandal, my fellow district residents and I understand all too well the perils associated with weak and loosely monitored ethics regulations," Space said.

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